Joan Rae Liebman Rubinstein's Obituary
Joan Rubinstein, 73 of Pembroke Pines, Florida, formerly of St. Paul, Minnesota passed away on June 11, 2021 peacefully at home under hospice care in the arms of her son after a short battle with cancer. Joan is survived by her family Todd (son), Danielle (daughter-in-law), Sofia (granddaughter), Victoria (granddaughter), Bari (daughter), Jeremy (son-in-law), Jeremy Jr (grandson), Jean (sister) and Doug (brother-in-law), as well as many other nieces and nephews.
Joan was an incredibly passionate, artistic, talented and engaging arts and crafts expert, early childhood educator, religious school teacher, literary specialist and camp counselor for 41+ years, even being named the 2020 – 2021 Dr. Sydney & Rose Esterson Broward County Religious School Teacher of the Year and as well, being honored as the Temple Beth Emet Early Childhood Center “Teacher of the Year” in 1998, in which she was one of the founding members of. Joan dedicated her entire life to children, starting at Temple Beth Shalom in Hollywood, Florida and then transitioning to Temple Beth Emet in Cooper City, Florida from 1985 until the day she serenely passed.
Joan lived a simple life, focusing solely on her family, the Temple, the thousands of children she taught, dog sitting, party planning and Barry Manilow, who she saw over 50 times, even meeting him, which was a dream of hers which came true. She was passionate, loving, selfless and kind with a heart unlike anyone imaginable. If you knew Joan, you understood she would never say “No” and would give the shirt off her back to help anyone, especially if it meant for the benefit of the betterment of the children she taught, which was her greatest reward in life as she felt it was more fun than work!
Joan was a strong advocate for the concept of tzedakah and mitzvot and felt it was extremely important to teach the children kindness, awareness, compassion, empathy, and love, as one mantra she lived by as stated by Rabbi Akiba, “Learning leads to action and action leads to love”, which is a testament in which she lived and worked each day.
Joan loved teaching, being a mom and a grandmother, as it fulfilled her life and filled her heart with love and joy. She loved her pets Hearty, Adobe, Thomas and Lil Mac dearly and hoped to use her artistic ability to help other teachers and children better themselves and become more empowering and advocating Jews, all while hopeful they would never forget their experience and time spent at Temple Beth Emet. Just as well, Joan and her family were one of the original families to found Temple Beth Emet and initiated a Bar Mitzvah program which when a Russian Jew could not have a Bar Mitzvah, one would be done in their honor. Undoubtedly, “Miss Joan” not only overwhelming succeeded in her aspirations and wishes but surpassed and exceeded them all by infinite leaps and bounds which will never be replicated again.
Miss Joan, Grandma Joan, Mom or Joan… in whatever name she was called, there will never be another one like her again. There might be a void in this world today, but her eternal love will shine above us all, smiling brightly, as she made a huge impact and difference in this world unlike anyone could have ever imagined. She will truly be missed, but her benevolent legacy will live on forever and joyfully celebrated through the countless children she inspired, their children and her own children. The mold was broken with this special woman. We Love You!
In honor of Joan’s life, in lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to:
Temple Beth Emet Early Childhood Center
4807 South Flamingo Road
Cooper City, Florida 33330
954-680-1882 or [email protected]
To View the Memorial Service at Menorah Gardens via Zoom, please see the link below
When: Jun 16, 2021 2:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Viewneral Service Name: Joan Rubinstein Graveside
Please click the following link to join:
https://viewneral.zoom.us/j/92810670108?pwd=VEljQ0VrMS8yOVVMVHdSU25jZUhmdz09
Viewneral ID: 928 1067 0108
Password: 976076
To View the Memorial Service for Joan Rubinstein at Temple Beth Emet
When: Jun 16, 2021 5:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83146095451?pwd=bit1b0lZRDJkRzJVNG9VMEF4WW9LQT09
Meeting ID: 831 4609 5451
Passcode: 633124
Arrangements by Levitt-Weinstein/Beth David Memorial Chapel (954) 963-2400
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